Moeed Pirzada detained in UAE for taking ailing father’s thumbprints

ABU DHABI: Prominent state-run television anchor and commentator Moeed Pirzada was arrested in the United Arab Emirate (UAE), the Foreign Office (FO) confirmed on Friday.
Foreign Office Spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said that Pirzada was arrested by the Abu Dhabi police on August 4.The spokesman said that Pakistani mission in Abu Dhabi was in contact with Moeed Pirzada.
“Our embassy in the UAE is in contact with authorities over there and will provide all possible assistance to Pirzada,” the spokesperson added. According to sources, the anchor was detained from a hospital where his father was being treated. “His arrest was made after he was spotted getting thumbprints of his ailing father on the documents,” sources added.
Pirzada was visiting ailing father when he was taken into custody.
Pakistani Ambassador to the UAE Asif Durrani confirmed the arrest and said the Embassy was in contact with the Emirates officials. He further said that he was acquiring more information about it.
However, the spokesperson said the reason for his arrest could not yet be ascertained. Although social networking site, Twitter, was abuzz with claims that Pirzada was arrested for “forging property documents.”